Dito Telecommunity

Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday, Feb. 24, urged the National Security Council (NSC) to immediately conduct a security audit of newcomer Dito Telecommunity Corporation ahead of its commercial rollout on March 8.

PLDT and DITO have entered into an agreement for the construction of a transmission facility that will serve as the point of interconnection for their subscribers.

Local telcos have committed to start the interoperability test in June this year and will carry out the full commercial launch by September.

At the last Senate hearing, Sen. Grace Poe questioned Dito Telecommunity for rolling out services mainly in the NCR instead of barangays in unserved and underserved areas.

Senators Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros have again brought up their concerns over Dito Telecommunity's business connection with China Telecom, with Pangilinan calling for an executive session to discuss the matter in the Senate.

Citing the military’s deal with third telco Dito Telecommunity as "foolish", Sen. Risa Hontiveros said she is opposing the Department of Defense (DND)’s proposal for a P500-million cybersecurity budget for 2021.

A telecom industry study released on Friday, Oct. 2, raised serious concerns, particularly on national security, on the selection and impending operation of Dito Telecommunity-China Telecom as the country's third telecommunications player.

Fortinet said Dito Telecommunity will leverage its comprehensive network security platform, serving as its primary cybersecurity provider.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros has called for an “immediate” Senate hearing to probe the agreement that allows new telco Dito Telecommunity to set up equipment and facilities within the military bases of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the country.

Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana should rescind the deal that allows China-backed Dito Telecommunity to build cell sites inside Philippine military camps, Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan said.